by Julien Benjamin (Staff writer)
For the second time this season, the Braves were the victims of a series defeat. What makes it worse is the fact that the club was swept by the Marlins, their first over the Braves since 2009. The Braves were overmatched all series long, with the Fish compiling nearly three times as many runs, and double the hits, that the Braves did over the three games.
While the results were definitely disappointing, the Atlanta pitchers were due for some regression at some point after the hot start that they had (2.32 ERA in the month of April). The Marlins posted 23 total runs over the three games, 10 more than any team had put up against the Braves in a series this season.
Looking forward, the Braves bring back former staff ace Mike Minor tonight in a start against the San Francisco Giants. It’s been a long return for Minor after a surgery in a sensitive area during the off-season, but he should be ready to go to the mound and extend his long stretch of steady, stable performances dating back to July of 2012.
Former Braves starter Tim Hudson is now visiting as part of the enemy, but will not be making a single start this series. However, in gratitude for what he provided us during in eight seasons here, fans need to give him a hearty applause whenever he is spotted on the field. Huddy was a stabilizing force for the rotation for majority of his time here, a consistent 180+ inning guy most years.
The Braves are currently 17-10, a game and a half over the Nationals in the NL East. It’s time to build some separation between the clubs, but the Braves will need a good weekend against the NL West-leading Giants to rebound from the ugly Marlins series.
FRIDAY: 7:35 p.m.
Projected starter: Mike Minor
SATURDAY: 7:10 p.m.
Projected starter: Julio Teheran
SUNDAY: 1:35 p.m.
Projected starter Alex Wood
